The Practice of Applying One's Spiritual Gifts

Edification

14:1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire
spiritual
gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

14:2 For he who speaks in another
language
speaks not to men,but to God; for no one understands; but in the
Spirit he speaks mysteries.
14:3 But he who prophesies speaks to menfor their edification, exhortation, and
consolation.
14:4 He who speaks in another language
edifies
himself,but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

14:5 Now I desire to have you all speak with
other
languages, but rather that you would prophesy.For he is greater who prophesies than he who
speaks with other languages,unless he interprets, that the assembly may be
built up.

14:6 But now, brothers, if I come to
you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I
speak
to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying,
or of teaching?

14:7 Even things without life, giving a
voice,
whether pipe or harp,if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds,how would it be known what is piped or harped?
14:8 For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound,
who would prepare himself for war?

14:9 So also you, unless you uttered by the
tongue
words easy to understand,how would it be known what is spoken? For you
would be speaking into the air.

14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds
of sounds
in the world,and none of them is without meaning.
14:11 If then I don't know the meaning of the
sound,I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and
he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
14:12 So also you,

since you are zealous for spiritual gifts,seek that you may abound to the building up of
the assembly.

14:13 Therefore let him who speaks in
another language pray that he may interpret.

14:14 For if I pray in another language, my
spirit
prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
14:15 What is it then?

I will pray with the spirit, and I
will
pray with the understanding also.I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing
with the understanding also.
14:16 Otherwise if you bless with the spirit,how will he who fills the place of the
unlearned
say the "Amen"at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't
know
what you say?
14:17 For you most assuredly give thanks well,
but the other person is not built up.

14:18 I thank my God, I speak with other
languages
more than you all.
14:19 However in the assembly I would rather
speak five words with my understanding,that I might instruct others also, than ten
thousand
words in another language.

14:20 Brothers, don't be children in thoughts,yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be
mature.

14:21 In the law it is written, "By
men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to
this
people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord."(Isaiah
28:11)

14:22 Therefore other languages are for a sign,
not
to those who believe,but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for
a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.

14:23 If therefore the whole assembly
is assembled togetherand all speak with other languages, and
unlearnedor unbelieving people come in, won't they say
that you are crazy?

14:24 But if all prophesy, and someone
unbelievingor unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all,
and he is judged by all.
14:25 And thus the secrets of his heart are
revealed.So he will fall down on his face and worship
God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

14:26 What is it then, brothers? When you come
together,each one of you has a psalm, has a
teaching, has a revelation,has another language, has an interpretation.Let all things be done to build each other up.

Organization

14:27 If any man speaks in
another
language,let it be two, or at the most three, and in
turn;
and let one interpret.

14:28 But if there is no interpreter,let him keep silent in the assembly, and let
him speak to himself, and to God.

14:29Let the prophets speak, two or
three,
and let the others discern.

14:30 But if a revelation is made to
another sitting
by, let the first keep silent.

14:31 For you all can prophesy one
by
one,that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
14:32 The spirits of the prophets are subject
to the prophets,
14:33 for God is not a God of confusion, but
of peace.

As in all the assemblies of the saints,
14:34 let your wives keep silent
in the assemblies,

for it has not been permitted for
them
to speak;but let them be in subjection, as the law also
says.
14:35 If they desire to learn anything, let them
ask their own husbands at home,for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in
the assembly.

14:36 What? Was it from you that the word of God
went out? Or did it come to you alone?
14:37 If any man thinks himself to be a
prophet,
or spiritual,let him recognize the things which I write
to you,that they are the commandment of the Lord.
14:38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be
ignorant.

14:39 Therefore, brothers, desire
earnestly
to prophesy,and don't forbid speaking with other languages.
14:40 Let all things be done decently and in
order.

Discussion Questions

What is speaking in tongues and what is its purpose?

Why does the gift of prophecy have more potential to edify than
the
gift
of tongues?

What spiritual gift do you think has the greatest potential to
edify
the
body of Christ?

Does it depend on the circumstances?

vs 26-33 Describe a Christian meeting that you consider
to
be out
of control.

vs 34-35 What does it mean that women should remain
silent
in the
churches?

vs 36-38 Are Paul's commands here to be taken as the
Lord's
commands
today?

Comments

Seek Gifts which Edify

1Cor 14:1-4Follow the way of love and
eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.
Indeed,
no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But
everyone
who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and
comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who
prophesies
edifies the church.

For much of chapter 14 Paul downplays the significance of tongues
over
that of superior gifts. For the immature tend to overinflate that which
is not so significant. In fact there are those among the Charismatic
community
who claim that you're not saved unless you speak in tongues. But Paul
had
previously said, "Have all the gifts of healing?
do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"1Cor 12:30
Tongues is just one of the many gifts of the Spriit, and a minor one at
that. And they are immature who think that by muttering certain words
or
phrases, even mindlessly, they should be reckoned as the spiritually
elite
in the Christian community.

The significance of a spiritual gift is proportional to the degree
to
which it is effective in edifying the body of Christ. If one simply
seeks
to edify himself, he is self-seeking, which as we learned from the
previous
chapter is not characteristic of love. There are those who listen to
music
to make themselves feel good. But if they show no concern for others,
what
love is it to seek to make yourself feel good? A baby may be made to
feel
good with a few meaningless words from its parents, but that baby has
no
concern for others. Prophecy is a more mature gift. A gift that those
who
love can apply effectively to the edification of others.

Another thing we learn here is is that despite that
"all such gifts are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives
them
to each one, just as he determines." 1Cor 12:11, what is
implied in the "eagerly desire" (or
literally
"covet") certain spiritual gifts is that we can influence the Spirit to
give us certain gifts. Perhaps this is the point of Mt 7:11
"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to
those
who ask him!" or its parallel passage in Luke 11:13"If
you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy
Spirit
to those who ask him!" Taken together this may refer to asking
for
gifts of the Holy Spirit. Gifts we can use for effective ministry.

Take time to consider what gift or gifts you would like to utilize
for
the purpose of ministry (consider prophecy especially) and ask your
Father
in heaven for the Holy Spirit to apart you with such gifts.

Prophecy Greater than Tongues

1Cor 14:5 I would like every one
of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He
who
prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he
interprets,
so that the church may be edified.

There are many kinds of tongues, as Paul had said previously, "If
I speak in the tongues of men and of angels".1Cor 13:1a
In Acts chapter 2 the disciples miraculously spoke in the tongues of
men
not native to themselves. Music is another tongue as verse 15
also
implies, as is art and there are others. It would be good if everyone
could
utilize some artistic expression to inspire themselves and those of a
like
tongue. Tongues plays upon the intuition and as such gives a certain
flavor
to Biblical ideas. But let not the sauce, the flavoring, be substituted
for the meat. "Solid food is for the mature, who
by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."
Heb 5:14

By analogy consider the material in the Bible. Historical accounts
require
interpretation to derive proper applications. Historical accounts give
us flavor but are open to all kinds of interpretation. It's the
didactic
sections, the prophetic sections - those which teach emphatically,
utilizing
propositional truth, like the New Testament letters, are to be
the
foundation for such interpretations. That is, you don't derive doctrine
from events, but rather you interpret events in light of doctrine.

Those who express themselves in obscure or intuitve ways should seek
to translate their ideas if they are interested in others being edified
by them.

Communicate Clearly

1Cor 14:6-9Now, brothers, if I
come
to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I
bring
you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute
or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is
a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a
clear
call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you
speak
intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are
saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

Tongues are viewed as mere babbling if no communication is taking
place.
Speak intelligible words. Don't babble. Communicate clearly. It does no
good to others if others don't understand what you are saying. Is it
not
merely for ego's sake that some parade around in public babbling in
tongues?

Another thing is that if a person can't clearly express an idea,
they
haven't really learned it. You haven't really learned something until
you've
applied it and are able to clearly teach it. And when there's
mist
in the pulpit, there's fog in the pew. Better for one to keep silent if
they don't know what the're talking about.

A Translation Ministry

1Cor 14:10-13Undoubtedly there are
all
sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without
meaning.
If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a
foreigner
to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since
you
are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up
the church. For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray
that
he may interpret what he says.

Speaking in a foreign language is an ineffective tool if your audience
doesn't speak that language. Therefore seek to become adept at
communicating in their language. Or have others help along those lines.
And translation is not just about words. It's about meaning. And to
translate meaning one first has to understand the meaning. Thus "They read distinctly from the book, in the Law of
God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the
reading."Neh 8:8

While all gifts edify the church in some manner, yet some more than
others. Apparently those gifts associated with communicating meaning
are high on the list - Teaching, Prophecy, Interpretation. And again
notice that one's giftedness is not simply a matter of fate. Often it's
simply a matter of prayer. So no excuses!
Edify the Mind

1Cor 14:14-17For if I pray in a
tongue,
my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do?
I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will
sing
with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.. If you are praising
God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do
not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know
what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the
other
man is not edified.

By analogy, music has melody and lyrics. Ever turn on the radio and
find yourself enjoying a nice melody. But then when you listen to the
lyrics
your mind is not edified. Afterall, most non-Christian music is about
sensuality.
It doesn't edify the mind. Christian music has nice melodies, but if
there
were no words it could mean anything. Music without words does not
edify
the mind. While the melody gives flavor to the words, one could do
without
the melody and still be edified.

Now given also that the world always manages to infiltrate the
Church,
realize that in this post-modernistic culture art and music have become
grossly corrupted and that the object is not even to communicate
meaning,
but to leave it up to subjective interpretation. Consider modern art
forms.
It is left up to the observer to interpret them however one wishes. And
as for music, for much of it you can't even understand what the lyrics
are. The saints should not be as the world. Meaning comes first
- then flavor. (And of course, realize that the meaning of the Bible is
not a matter of subjective interpretation.)

Mature Thinking

1Cor 14:18-20I thank God that I speak
in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather
speak five intelligible wordsto instruct others than
ten
thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, stop thinking like children.
In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

A matured saint seeks to instruct others. Children are in the
learning
stage. But when they become parents they are put in the role of
teacher.
This is the way it should be in the Christian life. Hebrews rebukes the
saints saying, "We have much to say about this,
but
it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact,
though
by
this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you
the
elementary truths of God’s word all over again."Heb 5:11,12
Jesus said, "go and make disciples of all
nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you."Mt
28:19,20 Let us all mature to practice that role which is our
purpose
in life, the work and duty which the Lord has assigned for us.

Consider how children think and evaluate yourself as to whether your
thinking is more like that of a child or of an adult.

The Effects of Tongues and Prophecy

1Cor 14:21-25 In the Law it is written:
"Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I
will
speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says
the
Lord. (Isaiah 28:11) Tongues, then,
are
a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is
for
believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together
and
everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some
unbelievers
come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if
an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while
everybody
is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and
will
be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he
will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

Apparently by "the Law" Paul is referring to the whole of the Old
Testament,
which reflects not only the regulations of the Law but also the history
of Israels failure to live up to such regulations. But what is the
meaning
of this verse in this context? Perhaps the best illustration is in Acts
chapter to where the disciples miraculously spoke in languages foreign
to themselves but understandable to the foreigners around them. This
kind
of tongues is a sign to unbelievers, just as Jesus said,
"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles
themselves."
John
14:11 But tongues certainly would not be reckoned a sign to an
unbeliever
if he's not familiar with the language spoken. As it says here, he
would
just reckon such people to be crazy.

Prophecy's main purpose is to edify the church. But in fact it does
more than that. It brings conviction to unbelievers - conviction of
their
sin. And this should be the initial objective in evangelism - to
convince
unbelievers that they are sinners subject to judgment. The gospel is
always
to be preached in this manner - the bad news first, and then the good
news.
The good news of God's grace is meaningless and irrelevant to those who
are not convicted of their sin and of the judgment to come. Seeing as
the
Holy Spirit "will convict the world of guilt in
regard
to sin and righteousness and judgment:" (John 16:8), let
us cooperate with him utilizing the gifts he has given.

It's all about Words

1Cor 14:26 What then shall we
say,
brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a
word
of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of
these
must be done for the strengthening of the church.

"Everyone" is literally "each
of you". Everyone is important, which was Paul's point in
chapter
12. Yet this is generally not practiced in the churches today.
Generally
today churches are structured around a strict lecture format. People
come
to church. They sit down. If they are to say anything or sing anything,
they are told what to say and what to sing in accordance with the
program
established by the church leader or leaders. Very little participation
is even encouraged. And even at that it's generally comes down to
putting
some money into the plate or setting up chairs or the like. But notice
that the categories of things Paul mentions here that "everyone" should
prepare beforehand are all about words, whether they be hymns,
a
word
of instructiono, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.
Words
are the primary minstry tool in the Christian community and each one of
you should consider how to use words to edify the church.

A Regulation concerning Tongues

1Cor 14:27,28 If anyone speaks
in
a tongue, two— or at the most three— should speak, one at a time,
and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the
speaker
should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

Having spoken on the principle and purpose of tongues, here Paul
derives
an application - a regulaton. And this is one of the ideas behind Bible
Study - to seek to understand the principles in order to develop
applications
which will regulate your Christian life.

By "one at a time" he implies that the
service should be orderly as he also says later, in 1Cor 14:40"everything
should be done in a fitting and orderly way", and yet also
should
allow for individual participation.

If people can't understand the speaker, if there's no interpreter,
he
should keep silent. This implies that tongue speaks have the ability to
keep silent. No "the Spirit made me do it" excuses allowed here.
But it also implies that he would have known whether there was an
interpreter
- someone who understood him and could translate. Certainly this would
be the case with foreign languages of men.

A Regulation concerning Prophecy

1Cor 14:29Two or three prophets
should
speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

This is a regulation concerning prophets, not prophetesses. The
Bible always applies the term "prophets" to men and never to women.
Concerning women speaking he'll deal with in a few verses. But
concerning prophets, the saints should first of all not gullibly
presume that
whatever
alleged prophets say is true. The Bereans were commended for such an
attitude.
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians,
for
they received the message with great eagerness and examined the
Scriptures
every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11"Dear
friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see
whether
they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the
world."
1John
4:1 And what to weigh it against but scripture. Nothing but the
Bible
is above scrutiny.

But weighing carefully what is said is not limited to evaluating its
source - whether it be of the Spirit of God, but also weighing
carefully
its application. Even concerning the Bilbe, while we all may
acknowledge
it is God's Word, to what extent do each of us carefully weigh what is
said so as to derive applications relevant to our lives?

Allow for Interruptions

1Cor 14:30-33aAnd if a revelation
comes
to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you
can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and
encouraged.
The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God
is not a God of disorder but of peace.

Prophecy here is not an adding on to scripture, but of applying it
with
conviction. "Do not go beyond what is written." 1Cor
4:6b Let those who prophecy quote scripture and show its
application.

Seems to me that a discussion oriented Bible study group is a format
which best fits what Paul has been describing and I highly recommend
such
a format. In fact this very principle spoken of here of allowing
interruptions
is a good idea. For some speakers can go on and on talking too much. If
the Spirit moves another, they should be allowed to interrupt. But
there
has to be a spirit of politeness for it all to work together.

And once again just as with those speaking in tongues, those who
prophecy
should not excuse their rudeness or lack of self-control on the idea
that
the Spirit forced them to speak. The Holy Spirit forces no one. It acts
in cooperation with the person's own will. If your meetings are
disorderly,
allow God to be involved.

Women to be Silent

1Cor 14:34,35Women should remain silent
in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in
submission,
as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should
ask
their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak
in the church.

What about women who prophecy? Didn't he previously say
that prophets are allowed to speak - but in an orderly fashion?
And doesn'tt he say in a few verses, "my
brothers,
be
eager to prophesy"? But these are referring to men. Thoughout
the Bible, both Old and New Testament, the term "prophet" is never
applied to a woman who prophecies. In every case the Bible uses the
term "prophetess". So in this case concerning the public assembly of
the Christians, prophetesses are not allowed to speak.

This is an application of the principles he spoke of in chapter 11
whereby
"the
head of the woman is man" 1Cor 11:3b and likewise he
says
with regards to the assignment of roles in the church,
"A
woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not
permit
a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve."
1Tim 2:11-13 Again
he alludes to Biblical concept of male headship in defense of this
application.
It is not a matter of culture, but "as the Law
says"

Women are to play a role subordinate to men. Her role is one
of
submission, just as Jesus was subordinate to the Father. Her beauty "should
be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit,
which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1Peter 3:4

However with regards to speaking, what he's referring to is speaking
in an official capacity - like those in the church who prophecy in the
public assembly. It's disgraceful for women to usurp authority over men
through such public teaching. The implication is that women are not to
be pastors over men nor even so much as to teach Sunday School classes
where men are involved. However "older women are
to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted
to
much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the
younger
women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled
and
pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their
husbands,
so that no one will malign the word of God."Titus 2:3-5
Women are to teach children and other women. Consequently it would be
good
for churches to have separate Bible studies for women lead by women so
that they could more freely practice their spiritual gifts with regards
to speaking.

Think You're Spiritual?

1Cor 14:36-38Did the word of God
originate
with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks
he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I
am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this, he himself
will be ignored.

No suprise this follows his command concerning women being silent
in
the churches. Likewise in chapter 11 following his regulation
concerning
women he writes, "If anyone wants to be
contentious
about this, we have no other practice— nor do the churches of God."1Cor
11:16 These sort of ideas generate contention among the worldly,
and
much more so today in the age of feminism where the culture of
matriarchy
reigns in the world whereby men are emasculated, being effeminized, and
women are trained to assume authority over men, reckoning male
authority
with contempt. But let not the Christian be as the world. One of
the ways to test whether one is exercising their speaking gift by the
Spirit
of God or by the spirit of the world is by seeing what they think of
the
Lord's command here. Those who preach contrary to the concept of male
headship
are to be ignored, their spirit being that of the world.

Use Gifts in an Orderly Fashion

1Cor 14:39,40 Therefore, my brothers,
be
eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But
everything
should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Even in regards to previous command concerning women, his intention
is not to suppress the exercise of one's giftedness, but rather to
teach
the way in which it is to be applied appropriately. In fact, s I
mentioned
previously, there's too much silence in the churches, too much
suppression
and under-utilizations of one's spiritual giftedness in comparison to
the
regulations of which Paul wrote here. Churches today characteristically
allow no one but the official speaker or teacher to speak and EVERYONE
else remains silent, men and women. That is not an orderly way to
utilize
the giftedness among the church.

Fortunately there are churches which also have small groups
available
in which the church can practice its gifts. Though again, even those
are
sometimes merely geared around a purely lecture format. Assembling
together
is not to be a purely passive pursuit. All are to participate in some
substantive
manner.